How to Set up Fluval 204 - Something Wrong

[Gill]

Hey Guys,

My New Filter Arrived Yesterday
I figured out How to set it up and the Different Chambers.
But I have a problem.

It Sucks out the Water and Dumps It Back Out.
But there was Water Coming from the Side of the Box - on the OUT SIDE.
I Thought that the Seals were In Place but Maybe Not.

Have I Missed Anything Out.

All the Bits fit and It is Pumping the Water and Cleaning It.

I am Using it on the Hex to Prime it Before the Move.

 

[houndour]

Do you mean water is pouring out the sides where the clips are to close it? I had this with my 104 when I put the rubber seal on the wrong bit ) The instructions aren't the best IMO, but just check carefully if you have the seal on the right bit.

 

[Gill]

Do you mean water is pouring out the sides where the clips are to close it? I had this with my 104 when I put the rubber seal on the wrong bit ) The instructions aren't the best IMO, but just check carefully if you have the seal on the right bit.

Yeah that's It Exactly.

I'll Check

 

[nj96]

When I set mine up, the rubber seal was in a seperate baggy to keep it from drying out and cracking. Also, make sure it's on the correct way. My filter has the word Fluval split between the canister and the pump parts. When it's on correctly, they line up.

I'd bet on the rubber seal, though...

Good luck!

-Dan

 

[Gill]

When I set mine up, the rubber seal was in a seperate baggy to keep it from drying out and cracking. Also, make sure it's on the correct way. My filter has the word Fluval split between the canister and the pump parts. When it's on correctly, they line up.

I'd bet on the rubber seal, though...

Good luck!

-Dan

I checked, It doesn't Have a Rubber seal with it.

Will have to get 1

 

[houndour]

Hmmm, I'm from UK and my fluval 104 had the rubber seal in a different bag too.

I would phone the place you bought it from. See if they know if it's supposed to have the rubber seal in yours. Any decent company would send you a new one if it is missing.

 

[sub.42]

Hi all,

My Fluval 304 is quite new, and my one already had the seal fitted to the unit, so Fluval may have changed the way they supply the unit.

Just a thought,

sub.

 

[300zx]

my 404,s both had the rubber seal attached, but always worth keeping a spare. you never now when your going to snag one, but christ are they bar stewards to prime.

 

[sub.42]

my 404,s both had the rubber seal attached, but always worth keeping a spare. you never now when your going to snag one, but christ are they bar stewards to prime.

HHHHAAAAA!

!LOL!

My wife nearly beat me around the head after all the blasphemous comments that issued forth from the dining room when I tried to set mine up!

The air was blue!

Note for myself next time I set up a Fluval ##4.

1. Rinse ALL media with water

2. Put media into chambers.

3. Fill bottom part of filter body with water.

3a. Put top on, plunger bash, turn on, no worky. Get cross and swear. Open unit up to check it all and give up.

4. Open bottle of nice red wine, pour large glass, and leave filter to rest.

5. Return sevral(hic!) hours later, and put the top on.

6. Bash plunger merrily until you swear some more, shake unit lots, plunger bash, shake and so on until all the wine is gone and you don't care if the thing works or not.

7. Return to filter twenty-five mins later, turn on, and the bloody thing works all by itself! No plunger, no shakey, no nothing.

8. Remind myself never to need a new filter again ever.

sub.

 

[boxman]

I have a 204 and a 404 - had similar issues with 'leaking' top - the first sign of a seal going is lots of air being pumped from the outflow pipe (or a leaking filter!)

One tip i'd give when cleaning the filter - don't tilt it over anything unless it's ok to get wet - my poor deep pile carpet must be full of old filter water!!!

Anyone reading this that's thinking about getting a fluval X04 don't let this thread put your off. Yes, they are a bit of a pain to get setup but they're well worth the effort and work SOOO well.

Oh, and also, check the contents of the box before you leave the LFS, it's worth it having to treck all the way back again!!

 

[sub.42]

boxman,

You are soo right. Maybe I was a little harsh! My Fluval 304 must easily be the quietest filter I have owned to date. Best value aswell. Pets at home do it for £59.99! Bargain. I have had no water quality issues at-all!

Keeps my tank happy, just wish that I could adjust the flow, but hey, look at the price! Just have to spend another £15 on some taps and stuff. The pre-chamber screen is soo easy to clean too.

I think I was trying to say that they are difficult to prime when new, and the best advice I can give if you do buy one is just fill the bottom of the unit up and then leave it to stand for half an hour. All the little air bubbles should rise to the surface and make it easier to prime when ready.

sub.

 

[KarlosFandango]

my 404,s both had the rubber seal attached, but always worth keeping a spare. you never now when your going to snag one, but christ are they bar stewards to prime.

HHHHAAAAA!

!LOL!

My wife nearly beat me around the head after all the blasphemous comments that issued forth from the dining room when I tried to set mine up!

The air was blue!

Note for myself next time I set up a Fluval ##4.

1. Rinse ALL media with water

2. Put media into chambers.

3. Fill bottom part of filter body with water.

3a. Put top on, plunger bash, turn on, no worky. Get cross and swear. Open unit up to check it all and give up.

4. Open bottle of nice red wine, pour large glass, and leave filter to rest.

5. Return sevral(hic!) hours later, and put the top on.

6. Bash plunger merrily until you swear some more, shake unit lots, plunger bash, shake and so on until all the wine is gone and you don't care if the thing works or not.

7. Return to filter twenty-five mins later, turn on, and the bloody thing works all by itself! No plunger, no shakey, no nothing.

8. Remind myself never to need a new filter again ever.

sub.

Definately been there when setting mine up

I love the way it spits out lots of little bubbles just to tempt you into thinking it's about to work, half an hour later your still plunging like a fool!!

Found mine to be quite leaky when setting up, even managed to put the top on the wrong way once ) On the 404's they collect alot of water around the grooves at the top, if you move them this then comes out making you think there is a leak > remove filter open up and look > water gets in groove > close up as all looks fine > move it back and hook up > water dribbles out again > repeat until very wet and angry